Hi,
I have a TE V6 Magna and will need a new timing belt in another 5,000 Ks. I've called around and have been quoted from $1,200 for a belt kit (with tensioners etc) to $2,000 for the belt kit plus water pump and plugs.
Can anyone confirm whether these are realistic prices and/or suggest a business in the Canberra area that knows Magnas and could do the job a bit cheaper for me?

Regards,
Paul

Those prices would have to include some form of service + labour. I am yet to check the condition of mine, its on my to-do list lol.

Try Peter at Harry's Auto Care (Repco) in Oatley Ct Belconnen 6251 7333
http://www.repcoservice.com/go/service-centres/harry-s-auto-care

Thanks for your responses guys.
I had called Harrys in Oatley Court Craney - his was the $1,200 estimate for the belt and tensioners. A friend has advised me to make sure that I get the water pump replaced in addition to the timing belt because the odds are that it is on the way out as well.

Any other recommendations that anyone may have as to a repairer in the Canberra area would be appreciated.
I know the job has to be done; I'm just finding it a bit hard to accept that I need to pay $2,000 to service a car that is only insured for $2,800. But she is a good old girl.
Regards,
Paul

sell for 2k, use extra $1200, find a TH thats just over the 100,000km mark and has the major done :)

Wow. I think I'll be going to Melbourne for quick trip next year and give the job to Mal for $1200 (I'm at 179 000 km).

http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=72817

PS out of interest have you tried Ultratune, National Capital Motors or Bill Lilley?

I got quoted at my local Newcastle Mitsubishi Dealer $242 for a Value Plus timing belt kit includes Tensioner Pulley, Idler Pulley,Belt + crank/cam seals and labour $275 = $517. I think that's pretty good. A genuine belt only is about $140. The kit is non-genuine but is MMAL endorsed so if anything fails they will cover parts & labour. So for an additional $700 what else are they doing for you??

For $1200 I'd want all of the above plus full service including plugs (both banks), coolant, brake fluid and possibly trans fluid changed.

Thanks again Guys,
Craney - It would be great if we had a local repairer like that fixed price guy in Melbourne. I'll give Ultratune and National Capital a call on Monday to check their prices.

TW2005 - thanks for the info re cost from your Newcastle dealer. In light of your experience, I seem to be getting ripped off. I'll ask about the Value Plus timing belt kit when I call National Capital Mitsubishi and Ultratune on Monday. Like you, I reckon I should be getting a lot more for my $1.200 than has been offered to date.

Regards,

Hi Craney and TW2005,
I called National Capital Motors (Bradden) yesterday and they will do the timing belt for approx $500 including Tensioner Pulley, Idler Pulley,Belt + crank/cam seals and labour - similar price to TW2005s quote. The foregoing plus a 90K major service (with plugs) would be around $800 all-up. I also asked about rocker cover gaskets and was told they are $40 each, but would be fitted free of charge if I opt for the full service. So thanks for your responses, I have decided that I will put the car in to National Capital Motors in the near future.
Regards,
Paul

Good work.

If you have some time (like a week), you could maybe get the gaskets and plug seals from RockAuto (http://www.rockauto.com/) for US$17 each per bank (as you said, the gaskets are $40 per bank and the plug seals are $23 each here).

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=477546

Shipping would be US$40 (so you'd effectively get the plug seals for nothing)

PS They have timing belt kits too: Gates belt, tensioner and water pump for US$65!

http://info.rockauto.com/Gates/Detail2PwrPr.html?TCKWP139-1.jpg&117.jpg

Hi Craney and TW2005,
I called National Capital Motors (Bradden) yesterday and they will do the timing belt for approx $500 including Tensioner Pulley, Idler Pulley,Belt + crank/cam seals and labour - similar price to TW2005s quote. The foregoing plus a 90K major service (with plugs) would be around $800 all-up. I also asked about rocker cover gaskets and was told they are $40 each, but would be fitted free of charge if I opt for the full service. So thanks for your responses, I have decided that I will put the car in to National Capital Motors in the near future.
Regards,
Paul

Definitely get the rocker cover and plug seals done if they are doing the plugs in the rear bank. mine started leaking around the 90 000k, lucky for me warranty looked after that one. Cost wise your ahead compared to where you started.

Hi Guys,
Thought I should post an update on this thread. After hunting around, the best deal I could find in Canberra was $1,100 to supply and fit:

. Timing Belt Kit inclusive of idler pulley,tensioner, crank/cam seals
. Rocker gaskets and plug seals (mine are leaking)
. New water pump & coolant
. 3 Platinum plugs
. Fuel filter.

Local dealer quote was $1.300 without the water pump. Harrys Auto Care came in at $1,100 for the lot - so I have booked the car in with them to have the job done.
Wish I could wield the tools and do the job myself - 'cause I know the majority of the cost is labour.

Hi Again,
just to clarify the apparent anomaly between my first post advising that National capital Motors quopted $800 for what appeared to be "the lot" - when I called back for a firm quote, the price blew out to $1,300 (not including the water pump). When I called Harrys Auto back for a firm price I got the $1,100 (with water pump) - thus my decision to go with Harrys.

Regards,
Paul